Tagged Questions

Tools, parts, techniques, and procedures to keep your bike in working order. MAINTENANCE is not the same as REPAIR, a separate tag. Maintenance is what one does on a regular basis. Repair is what one does only when something is broken.

I bought a new cyclocross bike, very good very handsome. 2 days ago I rode it on quite a rough road composed only from rocks. Two punctures (slow leaking ones, cause only realised after coming home 2 ...

I cycle year round, in Maine. It is pretty much guaranteed my brakes and shifter cables will need replacement in the spring, even if I try to maintain and clean the bike after each ride. Does anyone ...

I bought a new Shimano 3-ring crankset for my aged MTB (5-speed at the rear) and updated the BB to the recommended length (9.5mm longer than I previously had with 2-ring cranks)for the new cranks. Now ...

Purchased my first "decent" bike, a Motobecane 700HT about 5-6 years ago as a 'gateway drug' of sorts for myself to get into XC biking. Ended up using it for commuting for a few years as well.
Over ...

I come from an Engineering background and I have a strong interest in science. It has always struck me as odd how so much of cycling is so very subjective.
As an example, though this is by no means ...

Let me provide some context to the question. I mostly cycle alone and cover distances in the range from 45 km to 65 km; depending on the route, these rides last from less than 2 hours to well over 4 ...

I have a Race Face Ride XC single ring crankset that I stripped out the pedal threads on one arm. I am trying to remove the crankset, I have followed the instructions that came with the crankset, and ...

How do I determine the torque required for different bolts, etc.? I am new to the world of torque wrenches and have not purchased one yet. I am suffering from chronic loosening of the left side crank ...

Context:
My bike shop includes free servicing as a standard with a new bike. I don't need such thing and live too far away. In lieu of waiver I can get €100 of stuff from the shop.
Best bike problem ...

Well, I drive a car and I have a technical book (maintenance) and automatically I want to do the same for my newly bought bicycle. I would love to track repairs, maintenance schedules, changed / added ...

The Wikipedia article doesn't explicitly list the applications of graphite grease. Would it be suitable for bicycle bearings and threads?
Furthermore, I went ahead and purchased a single package (the ...

How to align the front and rear speed shifters ?
My chain dropped from the front chain ring, and I put it back on the first gear I found, then the rear one fall off, and I put the chain back on the ...

I have just bought a new bike and had it about a month now. I don't really know much about bikes but I do know how to repair an inner tube.
I have had one puncture and just bought a new inner tube. ...

I'm having a hard time finding an appropriate replacement chain for my bike. Its a 21 speed, Wal-mart brand mountain bike. My local bike store has chains that were up to a 10 speed. I know I need a ...

I bought a pair of hydraulic brakes (Shimano BL-M395) for my MTB. After 8 months (less than 1,000 kms), both (front/rear brake) started to leak oil thru pistons, rendering pads contaminated and the ...

I found my mom's old road bike from the 70s tucked away in a corner of our attic. It's not in great condition and is pretty rusty. I don't know a lot about bikes from a mechanical or upkeep point of ...

After a complete tear down and reassembly I can't seem to find the right tightness adjustment for my threadless fork / headset. If I loosen it to the point that the front fork turns freely, there's ...

I really hate spiders and I'm afraid of them so this is really a problem for me. I use bike every day to get everywhere - to work, to shop etc. These nasty things can make a web in a matter of a few ...

My back tire caught a flat from a pot hole. The next day I take it to a shop and I get an inner tube change. From the shop I ride the bike home, but the tire catches another flat on the way. What do I ...

I have been riding a folding bike in the past. I have never replaced its chain.
Recently, I have bought a second handed road bike for $500. I am afraid of the chain breaking suddenly.
How do I know ...

I just bought a used mountain bike, and it seems to be slow. Pedaling seems like very hard work, and at a normal casual pedaling rate, I can only reach 4-5mph. If I pedal like I'm being chased by a ...

Why do chain wear indicators have an indication for 0.5% wear and one for 0.75% wear? Are both measurements included because there is some personal preference from mechanic to mechanic, or rather are ...

I need to build a new bicycle (others are gone, stolen :( ). Good thing is, I have two spare wheels of decent quality in my basement.
These old wheels took quite a beating though, when I was younger. ...